[jfl]

I read somewhere, I thought it was here, that the LE in West Palm Beach has started a program where anybody reporting to LE a MWAG, and the gun was found illegal, the person reporting would get $500 reward.

I don't remember if it was West Palm Beach PD or PBSO.

Has someone heard anything to that effect ?
Tried a "search" didn't find anything.

 

[lilarmy2001]

haven't heard this but think it is completely stupid and an irresponsible thing to have in place. you will have a bunch of people calling for no reason on people trying to make a buck. A reward system like that never works and only affects good people by mistakes.

 

[AirForceShooter]

unless it's a stolen gun how could it be illegal?
Training the sheep

AFS

 

[jfl]

unless it's a stolen gun how could it be illegal?
Training the sheep

AFS

No CCW
Altered S/N
F/A
Silencer
With a stock folding or not (P-08 for instance) becomes a rifle with a barrel length under 18' = Class 3
Possession by a convicted felon
Underage
In a bar
On some school property
etc...

And, of course, stolen, as you mentioned.

Guys, don't get me wrong; I totally disapprove such a system, not only on 2A grounds, on the legality of it, but also from a moral standpoint.

 

[deadeyedick]

Snitches get stitches and wind up in ditches. :laughing

 

[jfl]

OK, I got it.
Reporters are funny; they write stuff that denotes a complete "failure to engage brain" :
Anyone who sees an armed person can anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 800-458-8477.
Information leading to recovery of the gun and an arrest on a weapons charge will result in a $500 reward.
If the call is anonymous, how are you going to get your "prize".

There is some things in that program I really do not like at all.

If you want to see the poster, here is the link: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2009/06/19/0619gunbounty.html

By Andrew Marra
The Palm Beach Post

7:11 PM EDT, June 19, 2009

WEST PALM BEACH - Live in a rough 'hood surrounded by gun-packing thugs? Quick cash is a phone call away.

Under a new program announced this morning, anyone who spots people packing heat in West Palm Beach can call Palm Beach County Crime Stoppers anonymously and could receive a $500 reward.

The West Palm Beach Police Department will cough up $500 each time such a phone call leads to recovery of the weapon and an arrest for unlawful firearm possession.

Police say the program, modeled after similar efforts in Miami and Orlando, is different from traditional gun buyback programs because it seeks to nail the gun-wielders themselves.

"Ours actually goes after the felon," West Palm Beach police Lt. David Bernhardt said. "When you see the thousands of dollars we spend on a criminal investigation, $500 is nothing."

The Police Department has set aside $5,000 for the program -- enough to dole out 10 full rewards.

Bernhardt said that if it is a success officials will find money to continue giving out payments for gun arrests even after the initial money is depleted.

"We hope this will help to alleviate the violent crime," he said.

Anyone who sees an armed person can anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 800-458-8477.

Information leading to recovery of the gun and an arrest on a weapons charge will result in a $500 reward.

Copyright © 2009, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

 

[capngeo]

Cool..... so lets all go to WPB, stand around in various locations, and start calling on each other!

I wonder how long before the bright star who came up with this idea pulls the plug because he sees his officers are doing nothing but running from LEGAL MWAG to LEGAL MWAG.... all day long..... and just for fun, let's tip off the Newsie that there are "all these calls" so they can waste their time too!

 

[Mac45]

Two quick answers.

First, Palm Beach County has a huge gang problem. There are approximately 15 extremely violent gangs in the county, most of whom operate under the umbrella of the Top 6 gang. The problem was so bad there that the History Channel included the Top 6 gang and their affiliated gangs in the tv show "Gangland". Even though LE has put a big dent into the leadership of Top 6, the problem still exists; especially in Lake Worth, Lantana and parts of West Palm Beach. A lot of these gang members are heavily armed and don't really try to hide that fact from the citizenry. That is who the program is aimed at.

Crime Stoppers payouts work very simply. You call the tips line and give your tip and they give you an ID number. You call back and if your tip has paid off, a representative meets you, usually at a bank, and hands over your money.

People on Worth Avenue rarely call Crime Stoppers. But people in economically deprived areas do. I don't think many CWL holders are likely to get called upon.

 

[chuckusaret]

I get a monthly copy of all local police reports and I have yet to see any reports from the PBSO or Crime Stoppers program of any arrests or gun recoveries associated with this program. Past experience shows that the residents of poor neighborhoods do not witness or report crime within their neighborhoods. I would guess it could be detrimental to their well being.

 

[Evo1]

With a stock folding or not (P-08 for instance) becomes a rifle with a barrel length under 18' = Class 3

18 feet!?!?!

Okay, we know you mean 18"

But actually, rifles are allowed to have barrels as short as 16" without a tax stamp as an SBR. Only shotguns must be 18".

 

[Xbonz]

A slippery slope

Palm Beach County has a huge gang problem. There are approximately 15 extremely violent gangs in the county, most of whom operate under the umbrella of the Top 6 gang. The problem was so bad there that the History Channel included the Top 6 gang and their affiliated gangs in the tv show "Gangland". Even though LE has put a big dent into the leadership of Top 6, the problem still exists; especially in Lake Worth, Lantana and parts of West Palm Beach. A lot of these gang members are heavily armed and don't really try to hide that fact from the citizenry. That is who the program is aimed at.

This ought to start a lively debate. :thumsup
The governments of this country are aware of 15 violent gangs. Well, at least hopefully, since the History Channel knows Yet why are the 'leaders' of these gangs not mysteriously disappearing? If the federal gov't wants to create a 'nanny state' I suggest they start by actually protecting the non-criminal element of this country. Begin with the street gangs and work up to the corporate gangs.. Yeah I know..we have a Constitution..doesn't seem to matter to the fed's anyway, except when it suits them..:aarg

 

[Evo1]

This ought to start a lively debate. :thumsup
The governments of this country are aware of 15 violent gangs. Well, at least hopefully, since the History Channel knows Yet why are the 'leaders' of these gangs not mysteriously disappearing? If the federal gov't wants to create a 'nanny state' I suggest they start by actually protecting the non-criminal element of this country. Begin with the street gangs and work up to the corporate gangs.. Yeah I know..we have a Constitution..doesn't seem to matter to the fed's anyway, except when it suits them..:aarg

Because fear of things like gangs and terrorists is what they use convince the lazy and stupid among us to give up our rights in exchange for false promises of protection.

 

[Rvrctyrngr]

Because fear of things like gangs and terrorists is what they use convince the lazy and stupid among us to give up our rights in exchange for false promises of protection.

Bingo. Someone's been paying attention! :thumsup

 

[Xbonz]

Bingo. Someone's been paying attention! :thumsup

So much for my 'lively' debate...

 

[BroadsideofaBarnSniper]

Because fear of things like gangs and terrorists is what they use convince the lazy and stupid among us to give up our rights in exchange for false promises of protection.

So, you're saying I SHOULDNT have bought all that plastic sheeting from home depot to protect my house from bio-warfare that the terrorists will unleash on us?

In all seriousness, I live in Lake Worth and there are definitely some gang-bangers around here. Couple of years ago one opened up a few rounds on another gang member in the boynton beach mall during the Christmas shopping season.

For that reason, I always look for printing or any other signs of a piece on thugs when I see them, especially in the mall, and wouldn't hesitate to call it in if I did see one. Never heard of a program for it though, will have to look into that.

 

[U-Phorik]

I've heard this same 'Crimestoppers' thing pitched in the Orlando area, it's done on the radio stations, basically saying, if you know someone with an illegal gun, you call it in, the BG goes to jail, illegal gun off the street, and up to $1,000 in your pocket. I guess it has something to do with the Orlando Mayor being a member of 'Mayors Against Illegal Guns' I'm all for having guns removed from the hands of gang-bangers, convicted felons, and others who shouldn't have them, I wouldn't necessarily see this as a bad thing. Certain people just should not be able to carry or own a gun... Period.

 

[Guest]

They have the same program in St Pete.

http://blogs.tampabay.com/breakingn...rst-arrests-in-gun-bounty-reward-program.html